Softly spoken and utterly charming, DelPo is living proof that first impressions can be deceptive. Put a racquet in that man’s hands and he turns into a warrior, an assassin who will hunt down his prey until there is not breath left in his body. And by the time he had beaten Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-6(4) 6-7(0) 6-4, he was pretty much on his last gasp. But he still won.

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He has not been to Melbourne since 2014 thanks to injury (of which, more later) and now that he is back, he is beginning to remember just how tough tennis in the Australian summer can be.

“I prefer to watch these kind of matches on TV,” DelPo said. “Stay at the beach and watch on TV, drinking beer or juice. But I am so happy to be here after so many years. I had pains in everywhere, but I am still standing up.

“These young guys are so strong and I feel like I am getting older, for sure. They are so strong. He hit harder than me the service and the forehand and I had to run a lot, but I think I took my chances to win the match. I am so happy to go through.”

MORE: Full men's draw

As the Golden Age of men’s tennis draws to a close (Roger Federer may be a genius but he is 36 – not even he can go on forever), the search has begun for the successors to the multiple Grand Slam champions who have dominated the rankings for so, so long.

The natural hunting ground is among the young and the gifted, those still in – or just freshly out of – their teens. But then there is DelPo. True enough, he is 29 (not one of your “Next Gen”, then), but after a career blighted by injury, he is still a relatively young man.

His peers may be creaking and groaning after a dozen seasons on the road and hundreds of matches contested, but the gentle giant from Argentina (they call him the Tower of Tandil) is still a spring chicken by comparison. Season after season has been halted by injury; what should have been his best years have been lost to recovery and rehab following four operations on his wrist between 2010 and 2015.

It all started to go wrong as soon as he won the US Open back in 2009. Then he was tipped as the only serious threat to Federer and Rafa Nadal. If anyone could go toe to toe with the two legends, it was DelPo, and when he beat Federer in five sets in Flushing Meadows, it seemed that he was ready to step up and join the big two at the top. But within months, his wrist had started to cause him problems, and his progress was stopped in its tracks.

Every time he came back and thought he stood a chance of competing again, the injury would resurface. When, in 2016, he gave the tour one last, serious crack, he vowed it was the last roll of the dice. If his final operation had not done the trick, he would retire. But with cautious optimism, he kept working, kept doing what the specialists told him, and this week he broke back into the top 10 almost nine years after he first joined that elite band.

After all he has been through, he knows that when he is playing well and is feeling fit, he can do real damage to anyone’s reputation.

pattern

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Forehand winners

19
Karen Khachanov

34
Juan Martin del Potro

There are many similarities between the young man who did the unthinkable and beat Federer in a major final and the man who is now in the third round of Australian Open 2018. For a start, there is that forehand. It ought to come with a government health warning (‘Returning this shot can cause serious health issues to the young, the elderly and anyone who does not have a titanium arm’) and his serve is none too shabby, either.

Ordinarily, he moves exceptionally well for such a big man (he stands 198cm but somehow seems taller) but Khachanov was his level best to run the Argentine into the ground. One rally took 43 shots to resolve – and in Thursday’s stifling heat, that sort of effort was beginning to take its toll.

After three sets, DelPo was limping heavily (and losing the third set tiebreak without winning a point) and needed the trainer to massage away the pain in his left thigh and groin. This was incredibly hard work, but if the past nine years have taught DelPo anything, it is that he is made of stern stuff. Fighting through pain in order to chase his dreams has become a daily routine for him, so gritting his teeth and grinding out one more set to reach the next round was all part of the job.

Khachanov tried to make DelPo move – a wise tactic given the big fella was on one leg – but he could not land the knockout punch. That Argentine forehand was still venomous should he be standing close enough to hit it, and after three hours and 45 minutes a tired, sore but ultimately victorious DelPo headed for the locker room and a lie down.

He will be back on Saturday against Tomas Berdych to see if he still has the wherewithal to prove that even at the age of 29, DelPo is part of the bright future of men’s tennis.

World No. 10 opens against Chardy on Tuesday night
The results say he's fully back. Juan Martin del Potro has returned to the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings. It's only mid-February, and he's already reached an ATP World Tour final this year (ASB Classic, l. to Bautista Agut).

But does Del Potro feel as if he's back, as good as he was before his often-discussed four wrist surgeries – three on the left and one on the right?

To Del Potro, it's less a question about rankings than about one very important thing: his health. “I'm happy to still play tennis after all my problems and I never expected to get to the Top 10 after all my surgeries,” he said on Tuesday, ahead of his Delray Beach Open first-round match against Jeremy Chardy.

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“Now I'm in that group, which is great for me. But I still have good things to improve on in my game, and I'm looking forward to keep improving those shots.”

Namely, Del Potro is focusing on his backhand, the shot that he sliced for months during the beginning of his comeback but has gradually been hitting through more and more as his wrist has felt better. The 6'6” Argentine wants to bolster his volleys, as well, letting him end more points at the net and take advantage of his wingspan.

That could be the next phase in Del Potro's evolution, said Fernando Gonzalez, the former World No. 5 and 2007 Australian Open finalist, who helped Team International win the ATP Champions Tour event against Team U.S.A. in Delray Beach on Sunday.

Gonzalez said Del Potro should look to approach the net more often, saving his energy. Del Potro will turn 30 in September. “He cannot play more longer points from the baseline,” Gonzalez said.

The two-time ATP Comeback Player of the Year (2011, 2016) is still working with countryman Sebastian Prieto, with whom he's worked since the 2017 US Open. “We are doing well because I'm in Top 10 position again and I got good results after the US Open,” Del Potro said.

And he's pleased to be back in Delray Beach, where he won his eighth ATP World Tour title in 2011. He's gained 11 since then, and will add perhaps another this week in South Florida.

“It’s a beautiful tournament. The centre court always has a great atmosphere and for me this event is a good option to start this particular swing and the upcoming tournaments that are also very important,” Del Potro said. “I think it’s a very convenient tournament. The city is great, and we have great facilities. That’s the reason I always come back.”

Argentine discusses his 2018 campaign, injury comeback and a coaching change
Juan Martin del Potro arrived in a cheerful mood, even if he was a little out of his comfort zone. The Argentine, more at ease on the court than in the stands, took his place in a box suite at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, where the sixth seed is set to play his second-round match against David Ferrer on Wednesday.

From his vantage point, del Potro could view the practice matches taking place down below. The likes of past winners Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and Sam Querrey were on court. The Pacific Ocean was also in sight. The view of Acapulco was captivating, but del Potro still made time to answer media questions, including those from ATPWorldTour.com.

How are you feeling this week in Acapulco?
I'm happy to be back here to Acapulco. I said after losing to (Novak) Djokovic last year that I wanted to play here again and that I wanted to have a good time. The fans treat me very well here; they show me a lot of affection. I have a good connection with the Mexican fans and honestly, I'm fond of when this time of the year comes around.

Your road to the Acapulco title doesn't look easy.
That's true, but I come to play hardball at every event I play. There were some big names competing for the title last year (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, winner Sam Querrey). I'm here to do my best. I felt last year was up for grabs, so let's see what happens this year. I'm ready to improve on last year's result (l. Djokovic).

For the first time in five years, you kicked off your season opener in January. How is your body reacting to that?
It's been a long time since I started a regular season so early, that's for sure. Now it's about raising my level, but that doesn't bother me. It's a long year and at this stage, I'm putting my health before everything else, including how I feel physically. Then from there, I'll enjoy my time on the court. I'm just happy to be playing because I was almost at the point where I wasn't going to be able to compete. I'm just happy to be competing in Acapulco.

How would you rate your health status at this time?
I'm not even sure. I know I still can improve. It's weighing on me already this season but I know that I tend to raise my game as the year goes on. That's been my thing, so I'm not concerned at the moment.

What's it like to start the year with a new coach?
It gives me peace of mind to know someone is looking out for me. That helps me on and off the court. I started working with (Sebastian Prieto) at the US Open. It's been less than 10 tournaments that we've been together but already my ranking has climbed. I've paid my dues, but I owe a lot to him for moving up in the rankings. He's great, not just on a professional level but also as a comrade.

How do you plan to evolve, without taking steps back or doing something that might be detrimental to your health?
Good question. My way of playing has changed, the way I view points and look for different openings, certain opportunities. It would have been easy to throw up my arms and say "I give up, I'm done with this." Instead, I sacrificed a lot to get to where I am today. I've achieved a whole lot since 2016, when I returned. I'm back in the Top 10 and that trumps everything bad that's happened. It turned the negatives into positives. Not a lot of players have been able to do what I did in terms of a turnaround.

What other high points have you had since your return?
The week of Olympic Games in Rio (in 2016); that was something unmatched for a lot of reasons. Last year at the US Open was also very exciting. All are moments that mean a lot to me.

How did it feel to return to the semi-finals of a major (US Open 2017) for the first time in four years?
That was amazing. Grand Slams are still the high points of this sport; they transcend your personal and professional life. You win one major event and you're in the books. I'm just so lucky to have won my favorite Grand Slam, the one I admired most since I was a kid. I was just 20 year old when I won at the US Open. No one can ever take that from me and I'm so proud of that.

What are you doing to avoid recurring injuries?
I'm going extra lengths to take care of myself these days. I'm traveling with a physiotherapist and I'm especially looking out for my wrists. My wrists have given me the most problems over the years. I'm doing a lot of preventive and recovery treatment. I know that if I can stay healthy, I can extend my career.

Is it possible to not be prone to injuries?
It isn't easy, but I take the steps that are necessary. I demand a lot from myself but the human body can only take so much. This is one of only a few sports where you play day in, day out, and the intensity is high. The further you advance in a tournament, the more you have to raise your game on a lot of levels. After a while, your body feels it and reacts. I realise now how important it is to put your health above everything else.

What are your thoughts on the success of 30-year-old-and-over players achieving success like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, considering you turn 30 in September?
Their physical attributes are admirable but so is their desire to win. Everyone's body and everyone's mind is different. I started playing at a very young age and I've been at this game for a long time. I'm not 30 but my body feels like it is. I've been through a lot of operating procedures, many surgeries; my career hasn't been your typical one. But as long as my body holds up and I still have the drive, I'm going to keep playing and I'll do so happily.

What does it mean celebrate the 10-year anniversary of your first ATP World Tour title, and the fact that you remain among the sport's elite?
It means so much. I noticed that, with each of my first four titles on the Tour, I was maturing. I was evolving and establishing my position as one of the best. That was a while back, I get that. Ten years on and to be in the Top 10, though? This is something wonderful, something spectacular.

Argentine extends his dominance against Anderson in Acapulco
Kevin Anderson was playing some of the best tennis of his life. In only his fourth tournament of the year, the South African had already reached his third final of the season at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco.
But none of that mattered to Juan Martin del Potro in Mexico on Saturday night. The 6'6” Argentine outplayed Anderson for the seventh time in a row in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series (7-0), beating Anderson 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP World Tour 500 title, his biggest trophy since 2013 Swiss Indoors Basel (d. Federer).
It's Del Potro's first title of 2018, and he had to fight through a wicked draw, including three Top 10 players, for the crown. The Argentine beat serve-and-volley throwback Mischa Zverev, four-time Acapulco champion David Ferrer, No. 6 Dominic Thiem and No. 5 Alexander Zverev before toppling No. 8 Anderson in the final.
The Argentine now has 21 tour-level titles and, what might be especially encouraging for Del Potro, this title on 3 March is the earliest in a season he's hoisted a trophy since 2014, when he won the Sydney International (d. Tomic) on 11 January.
“It's a very special tournament to me. I beat three Top 10 guys in the same tournament, which is very important for myself. I'm so glad to win my 21st title playing in Acapulco,” Del Potro said.
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The 29-year-old Argentine is projected to rise to No. 8 in the ATP Rankings, switching spots with Anderson. Their seventh FedEx ATP Head2Head matchup, their first meeting in a final, was a heavy-hitting contest, as predicted. Del Potro and Anderson were exchanging powerful strokes from both wings before the Argentine seized his opening, coming back from 15/40 in the seventh game to break Anderson on his first break-point opportunity.
Anderson would push Del Potro to deuce but no further as the Argentine served out the set. In the second, a scary fall at 1-1 pushed Anderson off his game. The South African approached the net at 15/0 but tweaked his left leg when Del Potro lifted a surprise lob.
Two points later, at 15/40, Anderson received treatment from the trainer but he couldn't recover in time. Del Potro smashed a forehand crosscourt winner for the break. He'd finish with 26 winners. After the final, however, Anderson downplayed the effect his fall had on the match.
“It was a little bit uncomfortable at first... I think in the bigger picture of things it didn't really affect things too much,” Anderson said. “I think he played really well. He's obviously a tough competitor and a great player. I just needed to do a little bit more today.”
Del Potro later served out the final before raising his arms and screaming in celebration. “[Anderson is] a very dangerous guy. His serves are so strong but I got lucky in the important moments of my return games, and I broke just twice and that was the key of the match,” Del Potro said.
He now heads to the BNP Paribas Open as one of the top contenders to bring home his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. Del Potro will receive 500 ATP Rankings points for winning the Acapulco title and $354,130 in prize money.
Anderson, who finished as a runner-up for the second time this year (Pune, l. to Simon), will receive 300 ATP Rankings points and $173,610 in prize money.
“I can take a lot of confidence going into Indian Wells and Miami, two tournaments I really enjoy playing. I feel like I'm playing really good tennis,” Anderson said. “As always, I'll pick myself up. I'll try to learn as much as I can from tonight's match.”

Argentine enters first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the season in Indian Wells after claiming the title in Acapulco

Juan Martin del Potro’s victory over World No. 8 Kevin Anderson in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC final is noteworthy for many reasons. It is the seventh time the Argentine has beaten a Top 10 player in a tour-level final. The win also completes a week in which he beat three Top 8 players — the last time anyone has done that at an ATP World Tour event outside of the Nitto ATP Finals was when Grigor Dimitrov raised the trophy in Brisbane last January.

But Del Potro, who will return to No. 8 in the ATP Rankings for the first time since 2 August 2014 on Monday thanks to his first ATP World Tour 500-level triumph since 2013 Basel, does not plan on stopping his ascent anytime soon.

“Winning such an important tournament and beating three opponents in the Top 10 gives me confidence, makes me feel good,” Del Potro said. “But I also have things to improve.”

The ‘Tower of Tandil’ wants to continue his march up the ATP Rankings. And with good health as the first two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments of the year in Indian Wells and Miami approach, it is a good opportunity for the Argentine to make his mark.

“I'm having a great tennis moment, and I'm very happy to be able to find myself healthy, physically well,” Del Potro said. “It's something that has always caused me problems, but winning this tournament means a lot.”

Last season, Del Potro faced tough draws at both the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open presented by Itaú. He lost to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, both in the third round, respectively. But instead of entering the swing outside of the Top 30, he will arrive in California back in the Top 10 and with the momentum of three consecutive Top 8 wins.

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“It does not change my routine, nor my agenda,” Del Potro said of the victories. “I follow my own path. I know that if I’m physically good I can play as equals against the best. To achieve that, I train myself day by day. So this tournament [in Acapulco] gives me a little more desire to keep improving and practising hard so as not to lose the footsteps of those at the top.”

Del Potro, whose career-best ATP Ranking is No. 4 (11 January 2010), has just 290 points to defend through the Internazionali BNL D'Italia in May, which World No. 5 Alexander Zverev won in 2017. On the other hand, the three players who will be ranked directly ahead of Del Potro on Monday — No. 7 David Goffin, No. 6 Dominic Thiem and No. 5 Alexander Zverev — all have at least 565 more points to defend than him during that same stretch.

The now 21-time tour-level champion feels that not only was his Acapulco triumph important for the sake of raising the trophy, but the competition he beat to do it leaves him confident heading into these key tournaments.

“In an [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000, to be a champion you have to beat three opponents of the Top 10. And this tournament [in Acapulco] had a high level,” Del Potro said. “That shows you the great tennis that I played. I’m very happy to win a tournament like this and reach my title No. 21 in Mexico. I will remember it all my life."

Sixth seed will go for his first #ATPMasters1000 title this fortnight
Juan Martin del Potro is playing in his eighth BNP Paribas Open. But to Del Potro, some things are always the same in Indian Wells. For instance, his draw.

Every year, Del Potro said on Wednesday, he has the toughest draw. He doesn't even need to look at the other sections of the field. He just finds his name, and he knows – yep, that's the hardest part of the whole tournament.

“Always. It doesn't change. That's the draw, what I expect for sure,” Del Potro said during his pre-tournament press conference.

That was, without a doubt, the case last year in Indian Wells, when the Argentine, then the 31st seed, was drawn in the same quarter as second seed and five-time champion Novak Djokovic, fifth seed Rafael Nadal, ninth seed Roger Federer and up-and-coming players Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev.

The quarter was aptly named “The Group of Death”. Del Potro fell to Djokovic in the third round, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

This year in Indian Wells, however, looks a little more pleasant for Del Potro, who's improved his seeding and therefore his draw.

He is the sixth seed in the desert, and will meet either German Jan-Lennard Struff or #NextGenATP Aussie Alex de Minaur in the second round. The earliest Del Potro can face another seed is in the third round, if No. 29 David Ferrer of Spain meets him there. It would be their third FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting of the year. Del Potro won both encounters but their FedEx ATP Head2Head series is tied at 6-6.

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Should Del Potro get past Ferrer, though, his time in the desert will get more interesting. In the fourth round, he could meet either 10th seed Djokovic or former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori.

“I'm very positive with my level of tennis at the moment, and I want to stay focused just on my first match and then see if I can go far in this tournament,” Del Potro said. “But I think that the most important thing is to try to stay calm and go step-by-step.”

Delpo at the BNP Paribas Open

Year

Result

2017

Round of 32, lost to No. 2 Novak Djokovic

2016

Round of 64, lost to No. 7 Tomas Berdych

2013

Finals, lost to No. 5 Rafael Nadal

2012

Quarter-finals, lost to No. 3 Roger Federer

2011

Semi-finals, lost to No. 1 Nadal

2009

Quarter-finals, lost to No. 1 Nadal

2007

Round of 64, lost to No. 16 Richard Gasquet

The 29-year-old is back into the Top 10 at No. 8, his highest ATP Ranking since 3 August 2014. Just four days ago, Del Potro also celebrated winning the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco, his biggest title since the 2013 Swiss Indoors Basel, which is also an ATP World Tour 500-level tournament.

“I've got much confidence. Looking forward to playing good tennis in this tournament. I beat top opponents during the Acapulco tournament, which means something good to myself and I'm very excited to keep playing at the same level as I did last week,” he said.

Del Potro has never won the BNP Paribas Open or an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown. He reached the final in Indian Wells in 2013 (l. to Nadal).

“If you want to win a title like this, you must play good tennis and beat many other good players, too, and that's my biggest goal,” Del Potro said. “So I need to go step-by-step, match-by-match and see how far can I go.”